Author
Topic: 1974 Cuda Pro Street (Read 3948 times)

I am a new member and recently purchased a 1974 Barracuda. It was originally a 318 car previous owner made it into a pro street with a 502. I purchased it without the 502 but I have a 1967-68 383 that I was thinking of doing a 496 stroker with nitrous, but I may just get a 440 and do a larger stroker not sure yet. The car has a full tub, cage, dana 60 with strange internals, 4.88 gears, Qa1 coil-overs. I also have a 727 transmission. The car came with full interior minus back seats. I have always wanted a Cuda or a Challenger so when this one came up I had to jump on it. Please feel free to make suggestions or give advice as I need lots of it.

My plan is to build a low 10 to high 9 second streetable car. I would also like to add AAR hood, spoiler, stripes and side exhaust.

Markp, I am about to start my thread. Thanks for the inspiration. Its taken me 1.5 years to have the courage to make a thread. I need my students help uploading some photos, my resolution is too high so it messes up my ability to post pics. Your car is going to be fast. Looking forward to watching your build. Glad I finally figured out where to post a restoration thread.

I forgot to mention, be very calculated with what you buy. I research everything to the point of I may be mentally ill and I am still somehow going to be 10k over budget, yet I love my car so it will be worth it in the end...I think.

Seems like you know way more than me about cars so that is where you can save money.

Markp, I am about to start my thread. Thanks for the inspiration. Its taken me 1.5 years to have the courage to make a thread. I need my students help uploading some photos, my resolution is too high so it messes up my ability to post pics. Your car is going to be fast. Looking forward to watching your build. Glad I finally figured out where to post a restoration thread.

Thanks. If you open your pics with the paint application on your computer then go to the top and click on resize then resize them smaller and save. Hope that helps

I forgot to mention, be very calculated with what you buy. I research everything to the point of I may be mentally ill and I am still somehow going to be 10k over budget, yet I love my car so it will be worth it in the end...I think.

Seems like you know way more than me about cars so that is where you can save money.

Your 9-10 second street car...build good brakes!!!

I have been researching and I am also going to be at least $15000 over budget. I have gotten some prices and I am looking at about $18000 just for the motor and transmission. Around $15000 for body and paint and $5-$10000 on interior. I was hoping to build the car for less than $30000 but now I know it is going to be around $40000-$45000 done right. You just reminded me that does not include brakes Like you said I think it will be worth it in the end. I got the car for really cheap so I don't mind spending a little extra to do it right. I plan on keeping the car forever. This is going to take more then a few years to finish.

Good luck with your build I look forward to seeing some pictures and watching your build progress. We can give each other inspiration.

Sounds good Markp. Your engine and tranny should be a beast with that kind of money. No offense to every other muscle car out there, but the E-body is so gorgeous and like you I plan to keep it forever so I'm "all in." The hard part I have found is trying to be content. For example my dash is new, but whoever installed it did a poor job as the sun has warped it and it was hardly in the sun for long. New dash pad from ultimate rides is like $700 and from Just Dashes its around $1200. This was NOT part of the budget

However the dash is coming out as the car will be media blasted soon, SO...I will be getting a new dash...sigh

I have saved a lot of money by being patient and researching the life out of every part I buy. This site has a ton of kind/smart/helpful people so reach out as this site will be a priceless asset.

Mark .. are you going to stay with TF 727 trans? I know some reputable trans builders have 800hp TF's ... but you don't see too many when you start diving into 9sec range. Guys I'm working with are telling me to go to TH400 when I blow up the TF ...

I really would like to stay all Mopar. I'm keeping the leafs ... will throw CalTracs on of course.

Our goal is the same .. high 9s. But that motor/trans solution will be a year from now. I just need to get back on track first ...

Mark .. are you going to stay with TF 727 trans? I know some reputable trans builders have 800hp TF's ... but you don't see too many when you start diving into 9sec range. Guys I'm working with are telling me to go to TH400 when I blow up the TF ...

I really would like to stay all Mopar. I'm keeping the leafs ... will throw CalTracs on of course.

Our goal is the same .. high 9s. But that motor/trans solution will be a year from now. I just need to get back on track first ...

Will be fun to watch your build and see what you do and find. Thanks.

The plan right now is to stick with the 727 and beef it up. I am also looking into other options but the more I look the more I am going over budget. I was planning on putting $3000 into the 727 that was what I budgeted for the trans. Hopefully it will last a couple years then when I have more money or it blows up I will put something better. I am still researching as of now. Building my dream pro street Cuda is difficult I can't even decide on a color.

The plan right now is to stick with the 727 and beef it up. I am also looking into other options but the more I look the more I am going over budget. I was planning on putting $3000 into the 727 that was what I budgeted for the trans. Hopefully it will last a couple years then when I have more money or it blows up I will put something better. I am still researching as of now. Building my dream pro street Cuda is difficult I can't even decide on a color.

So I am have started ordering parts but I need to decide on a paint color before I purchase the interior. I cannot decide on a color it is driving me insane almost all the colors look good but I have narrowed it down to three. Inviolet, limelight and deep burnt orange. The reason I need to decide before I order my interior is if I go Limelight or inviolet I will be ordering black interior but if I go deep burnt orange I want deep burnt orange interior.So what do you guys think? Remember this is going to be a big tire AAR looking prostreet car.